Scottish Arable Farm of the Year

The AgriScot Scottish Arable Farm of the Year 2017

AGRISCOT unveiled the Chapman family, of South Redbog farm near Strichen, Aberdeenshire, as the winners of the first Scottish Arable Farm of the Year contest.

In this inaugural year of the prize, there were four other finalists who made the final selection, in a competitive category sponsored by precision farming specialist SoilEssentials.

AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds’ Gavin Dick, who convened the award on behalf of the AgriScot directors, stated: “Farms from throughout Scotland were nominated for the award. We then wrote to all of them to invite them to enter and subsequently, we announced our five finalists.

“Our independent assessors were immediately impressed by the entry form submitted by Peter Chapman from South Redbog. Not so much because of what it detailed, but because it was immediately apparent that here was someone who, by his own admission does not have the best, most productive land in the country, but is certainly working to make the most of what he has.

“At the on-farm visit, the assessors were very impressed by the attention to detail shown by Peter in all aspects of the business. He is extremely focussed on improving crop-yields, keeps a very close eye on, and benchmarks costs of production, is passionate about maintaining soil fertility and is an avid adopter of precision techniques,” said Mr Dick.

“I am delighted that South Redbog is the inaugural winner of the AgriScot Scottish Arable Farm of the Year Award. Nevertheless I also commend our four runners-up as excellent examples of best practice and positivity in the sector.”

On receiving his accolade Mr Chapman said: “We try to do as much as we can to support the industry, so I’m delighted to be the winner of the inaugural Scottish Arable Farm of the Year Award; it was totally unexpected!”

Seonaid Ross of award sponsors, SoilEssentials, commented: “Congratulations to Peter and South Redbog for winning today. We’re absolutely thrilled to be a sponsor of the inaugural Arable Farm of the Year Award. It’s a great accolade for arable farming, and it was fantastic to see it presented at a well attended and busy show.”